Our Righteousness In Christ
by Lani W. Finley

 

The death of Jesus not only made it possible for mankind to be forgiven, but it also bestowed upon the New Testament Christian another extraordinary gift - the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is difficult for Christians to understand and accept this wonderful truth. It is not easy for the human heart to believe that God could reckon (or account) us just as holy and righteous as Jesus Christ. However, if we fail to believe this vitally important message, then we have missed the very core and heart of the gospel of God.

The prophet Isaiah revealed this truth in the scriptures of the Old Testament.

... by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities (Isa 53:11 RSV).

The key word in this verse is accounted, or set to one's account. This simply means that God deposits this free gift of righteousness into our account based on our faith in the works of Jesus Christ - not ours. Since every human being has sinned, this disqualifies them from ever being able to amass a track record of good works, or obedience to the law, that meets the necessary requirements for obtaining Godly righteousness.

Some Christians have mistakenly accepted the belief that they have to earn their own state of righteousness by personal achievements and obedience to the law. However, only Jesus earned His righteousness, because He is the only one who has ever lived a perfect life without committing a single sin. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor 5:21).

The apostle Paul cautions Christians not to fall into the deceptive trap of believing that good works and obedience to the law will gain them righteousness in God's sight.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith (Phil 3:8-9).

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (Rom 4:1-5).

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe (Rom 3:20-22).

 

The Barnes Notes offers the following commentary on this subject, which gives additional insight into the apostle Paul's revealed understanding, that only faith in Jesus and God's goodness can please God and clothe us with Christ's righteousness.

[Righteousness which is of God by faith] Which proceeds from God, or of which he is the great source and fountain. This may include the following things:


 (1) God is the author of pardon-- and this is a part of the righteousness which the man who is justified has.

(2) God purposes to treat the justified sinner as if he had not sinned-- and thus his righteousness is of God.

(3) God is the source of all the grace that will be imparted to the soul, making it really holy. In this way, all the righteousness which the Christian has is "of God." The idea of Paul is, that he now saw that it was far more desirable to be saved by righteousness obtained from God than by his own. That obtained from God was perfect, and glorious, and sufficient; that which he had attempted to work out was defective, impure, and wholly insufficient to save the soul...

The apostle Paul goes on to share his heart-felt love for Israel with the church at Rome.
He is deeply grieved for Israel, because they have sought to gain their own righteousness apart from Jesus, and have set about to gain God's favor by their personal works.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth (Rom 10:1-4).

 

Notice that Paul does not say, "Christ is the end of the law". But rather, that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness sake. We must remember that the law is an indispensable part of a Christian's life. It identifies the principles of love and respect that we are to have toward God and our fellowman; for "...love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom 13:10). In addition, it gives life to sin when we violate these principles of love "For sin is the transgression of the law" (1John 3:4). Its function is very different from that of grace. God's laws of love make us aware of unloving thoughts and conduct, but can never forgive these transgressions.

In reality, it is the laws of God that shows us that we have acted in an unloving manner toward God and/or our fellow man - and helps us to understand why we need the grace of God. The law is simply a collection of the principles of love. It was never intended to save a person, offer them justification or forgive an unloving act. Therefore, faith in Jesus in the only law that can offer forgiveness, salvation and embellish us with His righteousness.

The prophet Jeremiah also describes the only source of our righteousness in the following scripture: "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, the Lord our righteousness" (Jer 23:6). Thousands of years ago, the Holy Spirit proclaimed the message, that the Lord Jesus is our only source of righteousness.

So, just how does God perform this great miracle in a Christian's life? How is He able to bestow the righteousness of Jesus Christ upon another person? How does He see the righteousness of Jesus, when He looks upon His begotten children? The key to understanding this great blessing is revealed in Paul's epistles to the churches at Rome and Galatia.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof (Rom 13:14).


For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3:27).

The words "put on" are derived from the single Greek word enduo. It literally means to "clothe oneself," as in the sense of sinking deeply into a garment. When we put on Christ, we have clothed ourselves with Jesus and are covered by His righteousness. Just as we step into a piece of clothing, we step into the Person of Jesus and are concealed within His holy garments. Therefore, when God looks upon us, His eyes are only focused upon Jesus Christ, who has wrapped us within Himself and clothed us with His righteousness.

Just as an expecting mother holds an unborn child within her body, Jesus holds us within Himself. We cannot see the tiny infant inside a mother's body; we can only see the woman who is carrying the unborn child. Likewise, when we are in Jesus, God sees the Person of Christ, not the imperfection of the child within Him. This is how God bestows the righteousness of Christ upon the members of His Family. Just as the unborn child is dependent upon its mother for supplying all that is needed for its life, the child of God is dependent upon Jesus for all the spiritual necessities needed for justification and acceptance before God. It is essential to remember that this can only be achieved in Christ - not outside of Him.

The word justified appears over thirty times in the New Testament. The original Greek word dikaioo simply means to be made righteous. If God said it that many times, He must have wanted His children to know how much He loves and accepts them, in Christ. The righteousness that God seeks is not based upon our ability to live the Christian life without any failures. It is based upon the righteousness that Christ possesses, because of His sinless life of perfect obedience.

The Bible tells us "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34). Therefore, God has no favorites and no one person has more righteousness than another does. There is only one righteousness that exists - and that is the righteousness of Jesus. Consequently, there cannot be different degrees of righteousness among the brethren. Although each Believer, within the body of Christ, has been ordained to perform different services for God, they can only be clothed with one source and degree of righteousness - Jesus Christ.

It is difficult for some to believe that they have received this gift apart from any personal works. However, a gift that been has paid for - is no longer a gift. It has been earned. A very wise pastor gives the following remarks for those who still believe they can achieve a state of righteousness through human efforts.

We live in a "do-it-yourself society. Thousands of "do-it-yourself" books have been written... We take pride in our own works and we build trophy cases and take pictures to remember our accomplishments. There is a lot to be said for carrying one's own burdens in society. But, there is no such thing as carrying one's own salvation. There is no such thing as a "do-it-yourself" salvation. There will be no boasting in heaven except boasting of Christ! Empty barrels make the most noise.1

It is essential that we understand the blessing of our righteousness in Christ. Otherwise, we will never grasp the true depths of God's grace, and this will hinder us from having a deep and personal relationship with Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father wants us to understand that by having the righteousness of Jesus bestowed upon us; we can stand in His presence, without the sense of sin, guilt, or inferiority.

What a loving and merciful Heavenly Father we have, who would allow us to be made the righteousness of God by clothing us with His Son. God is good - and His goodness surpasses our ability to comprehend its depths. Only a God of love could have conceived such a remarkable plan for man's redemption. Back to beginning of booklet